Transport container system and transport container

ABSTRACT

The transport container (6) has an inner bottom (7) and an inner shell (8) and forms an upwardly open receiving space (9) for goods to be transported. The inner container (6) comprises at least one inwardly protruding projection (11), at least on each of two opposite sides, on the upper edge of the inner casing (8). The clear distance between the oppositely arranged projections (11) is slightly smaller than the corresponding inner dimension—length or width—of the inner bottom (7) in the receiving space (9), such that the projections (11) form a support for a latent heat storage element (10), i.e. a latent heat storage element (10) with a corresponding outer dimension can be positioned on said projections (11).

The invention relates to a transport container system with the featuresof the preamble of claim 1 as well as a transport container, especiallyfor a transport container system, with the features of the preamble ofclaim 16. Finally, the invention also relates to a lid for a transportcontainer with the features of the preamble of claim 28.

Transport container systems of the kind under discussion are variouslyknown in practice. For example, they serve for organizing thetransporting of pharmaceutical goods in the goods distribution channelsof the pharmaceutical industry. In technical jargon, such a transportcontainer system is called a “Returnable Domestic Shipper” (RDS; RDSbox).

From the prior art on which the invention is based (EP 2 700 891 A2)there is known a transport container system of the kind underdiscussion, having first of all an outer container made from a rigid,resistant material, consisting of a tub-shaped bottom part comprising abottom and a casing and a lid closing the bottom part at the open side.The outer container and its lid may consist for example of thermoplasticor duroplastic synthetic material, but also of metal or compositematerials. The lid can be placeable loosely on the bottom part, but itmay also be articulated on one side by corresponding hinge elements andoptionally be locked in some way at the opposite side. Specifically, theaforementioned prior art shall be explained in detail.

In the known transport container system, a tub-shaped inner containerhaving an inner bottom and an inner shell inserted into the bottom partof the outer container is located in the outer container. The innercontainer forms a receiving space open at the top for goods to betransported. This inner container, called there the “liner”, may itselfconsist of a rigid, resistant material, i.e., the same materials as theouter container. Preferably, it consists of a heat insulating material.

The inner container in the known transport container system isconstructed to be smaller in dimensions than the bottom part of theouter container, so that a spacing is present at the casing and also atthe bottom between inner container and outer container. In this spacing,vacuum insulation panels of suitable dimension are arranged both at thebottom and also at the walls of the casing between the inner containerand the outer container. At the upper edge, the inner container has anencircling collar reaching outward beyond the inner shell, by which thespacing between the inner container and the outer container is covered,so that no foreign objects can get in here from above.

The walls of the inner shell diverge from each other upward from theinner bottom of the inner container in slightly conical fashion.

In the receiving space of the inner container there is arranged aplate-shaped latent heat storage element on the inner bottom, whoseouter dimensions correspond exactly to the inner dimensions of the innerbottom in the receiving space, i.e., its clear length and its clearwidth. At the edge there remains a minimal gap, so that the latent heatstorage element, having corresponding grip openings at the margin, canbe grasped by hand and lifted out from the receiving space. Plate-shapedlatent heat storage elements are likewise arranged all around the innerwalls of the inner shell. These rest at the bottom edge on the latentheat storage element arranged on the inner bottom. At the back side, thelatent heat storage elements associated with the inner walls of theinner shell are provided with projections of various height, so thattheir effective outer surfaces diverge from each other in slightlyconical fashion, but the inner surfaces run exactly parallel to eachother. In this way, it is possible to place another latent heat storageelement from above on the latent heat storage elements arranged at theedges, as a kind of lid whose outer dimensions—length andwidth—correspond to the outer dimensions of the latent heat storageelement located below on the inner bottom.

In the known transport container system, the two latent heat storageelements at top and bottom arranged on or in the receiving space areidentical in outer dimensions. However, they differ in outer dimensionsfrom the latent heat storage elements arranged at the edges. Given arectangular shape of the inner container, the sideways arranged latentheat storage elements are also different from one another in pairs.

The above described and known transport container system is relativelycostly. In particular, one must use two different sizes of latent heatstorage elements, each time in pairs. Such a transport container systemis relatively costly and cumbersome for goods traffic in thepharmaceutical product sector, for example, which is oriented to thegreatest possible efficiency.

The teaching of the invention is based on the problem of simplifying andmaking more cost-effective the above explained transport containersystem.

The above indicated problem is solved in the transport container systemwith the features of the preamble of claim 1 in that the inner containercomprises an inwardly protruding projection at the upper edge of theinner shell at least on each of two oppositely situated sides, the cleardistance between the oppositely arranged projections is slightly smallerthan the corresponding inner dimension—length or width—of the innerbottom in the receiving space, so that the projections form a supportfor a latent heat storage element, i.e., a latent heat storage elementwith a corresponding outer dimension can be laid down on theseprojections.

According to the invention, the inner container of the transportcontainer system is designed such that, as in the known transportcontainer system, two latent heat storage elements with identical outerdimensions to each other can be installed at top and bottom on or in theseat frame. However, this is possible without having to arrange yetfurther latent heat storage elements in the receiving space. Thetransport container system according to the invention utilizes exactlytwo latent heat storage elements, one at the bottom of the receivingspace and one at the top, open side of the receiving space, which islater closed by a lid. These two latent heat storage elements may havethe same outer dimensions. Thus, they can be the same type of latentheat storage element. Accordingly, this is especially cost-effective.

The teaching of the invention also includes the case when eachindividual latent heat storage element in turn consists of a pluralityof partial latent heat storage elements. For example, a latent heatstorage element of a particular length and a particular width may becomposed of two partial latent heat storage elements of the same lengthbut only half the width. In this case, one could for example work with atotal of four partial latent heat storage elements identical to eachother, two at the bottom and two at the top.

According to the invention, the projections at the upper edge of theinner shell of the inner container create a support for a second latentheat storage element at the top end of the receiving space, withoutsubstantially impairing the accessibility of the receiving space fromabove, after removing the latent heat storage element there.

The temperature constancy in the receiving space of a transportcontainer system according to the invention is sufficient for classicalgoods distribution channels such as in the pharmaceutical industry, forexample, for which the two latent heat storage elements at the receivingspace used as specified in the teaching of the invention are sufficient.

No latent heat storage elements are needed at the inner walls of theinner shell, so that the transport container system is very simple andcost-effective.

However, the design according to the invention also does not rule outarranging latent heat storage elements on one or more inner walls of theinner shell. This may be an option, when a very long-lasting temperatureconstancy in the receiving space proves to be needed and/or when theheat burden is very high due to the goods to be transported.

Preferred embodiments and modifications of the transport containersystem according to the invention are the subject matter of thedependent claims referred to the transport container system.

Subject matter of the invention is also a transport container of thekind under discussion in itself, in which the above indicated problem issolved by the features of claim 16. Such a transport container isespecially suitable for use for a transport container system of the kindunder discussion. However, it may also be used by itself or incombination with other outer containers or packagings.

Preferred embodiments and modifications of the transport containeraccording to the invention are the subject matter of the dependentclaims referred to the transport container.

Subject matter of the invention is also a lid for a transport containerwith the features of claim 28. The essential feature of this lid is theseat in the lid body, in which at least one vacuum insulation panel canbe accommodated. This increases the thermal insulation which can beprovided by such a lid.

Preferred embodiments and modifications of the lid according to theinvention are the subject matter of the dependent claims referred to thelid.

In the following, the invention shall now be explained more closely withthe aid of a drawing representing merely preferred sample embodiments.The drawing shows

FIG. 1 in perspective view, a transport container system with closedlid, here in the specific embodiment of an RDS box,

FIG. 2 the RDS box of FIG. 1 with opened lid and the inner containervisible therein,

FIG. 3 the inner container (transport container) of FIG. 1 by itself ina perspective exploded view in conjunction with two plate-shaped latentheat storage elements,

FIG. 4 the inner container (transport container) of FIG. 3 in crosssection with inserted latent heat storage elements,

FIG. 5 in a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, the arrangement ofvacuum insulation panels on the inner container (transport container),indicating the bottom part of the outer container,

FIG. 6 in a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, a modified sampleembodiment of an inner container (transport container) according to theinvention,

FIG. 7 in cross section, a preferred sample embodiment of a lidaccording to the invention for a transport container of the kind underdiscussion.

FIG. 1 first of all shows schematically an example of a transportcontainer system with an outer container 1, consisting of a tub-shapedbottom part 4 comprising a bottom 2 and a casing 3 and a lid 5 closingthe bottom part 4 at the open side. In the sample embodiment shown, thelid 5 is two-piece and the two pieces of the lid 5 are pivotably hingedat the side on the upper edge of the bottom part 4 of the outercontainer 1.

FIG. 2 shows the outer container 1 with opened lid 5, i.e., two parts ofthe lid 5 folded open at the side. In FIG. 2 one is looking into theinterior of the bottom part 4 of the outer container 1 and notices thata tub-shaped inner container 6 is situated in the bottom part 4.

The lid 5 for now is not essential to the teaching of the invention, theinvention initially primarily relates to the bottom part 4 of the outercontainer 1 with the inner container 6 arranged therein.

The outer container 1 consists of a rigid, resistant material, here, anoptionally fiber-reinforced plastic. The outer container 1 shouldprotect the goods to be transported inside the transport containersystem when the transport container system is being carried on conveyorbelts, for example, or being placed into or removed from the cargo spaceof vehicles. The inner container 6 on the other hand has essentially thefunction of safely transporting the goods to be transported inside itand providing a thermal insulation for the goods to be transported.

FIG. 3 shows the inner container 6 of the transport container systemaccording to the invention in a perspective exploded view. Such an innercontainer 6 is generally usable as a transport container, i.e., evenwithout the outer container 1 or with some other outer container or apackaging. This is reflected by the independent claims 16 to 27.

The following discussion of the inner container 6 holds equally for anindependent transport container 6, as contained in the claims relatingto this.

The inner container 6 is tub-shaped and has an inner bottom 7 and aninner shell 8. In this way, the inner container 6 forms a receivingspace 9 open at the top, in which goods to be transported can betransported.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section through the inner container 6. It can beseen that the walls of the inner shell 8 here run practically parallelto each other. For manufacturing technology reasons, especially for thestripping of the inner container 6 from a corresponding molding die, itmay however also prove expedient for the walls of the inner shell 8 todiverge slightly conically from each other, starting at the inner bottom7.

One may conclude from FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 4 that the innerbottom 7 has definite inner dimensions in the receiving space 9, namely,a particular clear length, measuring from left to right in FIGS. 3 and4, and a particular clear width, measuring from back to front in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 likewise shows in conjunction with FIG. 4 that a plate-shapedlatent heat storage element 10 can be arranged or is arranged in thereceiving space 9 on the inner bottom 7 of the inner container 6 (FIG.4). One notices from FIG. 4 that the outer dimensions of the latent heatstorage element 10 arranged on the inner bottom 7 substantiallycorrespond to the inner dimensions of the inner bottom 7 in thereceiving space 9. Basically, of course, it is also possible for theouter dimensions of the latent heat storage element 10 arranged on theinner bottom 7 to be significantly smaller than the inner dimensions ofthe inner bottom 7 in the receiving space 9. In this case, however, onewould not make optimal use of the prerequisites dictated by the spatialcircumstances in regard to the latent heat storage element 10. Thus, inthe normal case the outer dimensions of the latent heat storage element10 should be chosen to be smaller than the inner dimensions of the innerbottom 7 in the receiving space 9 by as little as possible. The latentheat storage element 10 should be well installed there, but also ifnecessary it can be taken out once more without significant problems.For a relatively slightly elastically deformable material of the innershell 8 of the inner container 6, the latent heat storage element 10 canalso be forced somewhat into the inner container 6 so that it comes torest against the inner bottom 7 of the inner container 6 (press fit).

For details of a plate-shaped latent heat storage element such as thelatent heat storage element 10, in order to avoid needless length,reference is made to the prior art, especially the already cited EP 2700 891 A2, but also DE 20 2014 004 515 U1, which belongs to theapplicant of the present application. Latent heat storage elements ofthe kind in question are also available for a vast range of targettemperatures. The desired target temperature should correspond to thegoods to be transported. In the pharmaceutical sector, the desiredtransport and storage temperature is a few degrees ° C. The latent heatstorage element or the latent heat storage elements make sure that astable temperature in the desired range of the target temperature isformed in the receiving space 9, which is thermally insulated by atleast the inner container 6.

It further emerges from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the inner container 6 has aninwardly protruding projection 11 at the upper edge of the inner shell 8at each of two oppositely situated sides. The clear spacing between theoppositely arranged projections 11 is slightly smaller than thecorresponding inner dimension—length or width—of the inner bottom 7 inthe receiving space 9. The projections 11 thus form a support for alatent heat storage element 10 with the corresponding outer dimensions.

In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 one sees the first latent heat storage element 10,which is arranged on the inner bottom 7 in the receiving space 9, at thebottom, and the second latent heat storage element 12 with identicaldimensions as the first latent heat storage element 10, at the top,placed on the projections 11 which are recognizable in FIG. 4 at theleft and right.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 one sees that the receiving space 9 in the innercontainer 6 can be effectively temperature controlled by means of thetwo latent heat storage elements 10, 12, without the need to arrangefurther latent heat storage elements on the inner shell 8 of the innercontainer 6. One can make do with the same type of latent heat storageelement that is utilized twice in this inner container 6, namely, as thefirst latent heat storage element 10 on the inner bottom 7 and as thesecond latent heat storage element 12 at the upper edge of the innershell 8 of the inner container 6. In this way, a simple design and thusa much more cost-effective solution is found for the area of applicationaccording to the invention of the transport container system.

Since the projections 11 are situated laterally at sufficient spacingfrom each other, and given correspondingly sufficient height of thereceiving space 9 in the inner container 6, the first latent heatstorage element 10 can be easily removed at the top from the receivingspace 9 by placing it on a slant in the receiving space 9 and thenpulling it upward and out near the diagonal position through the openingbetween the two projections 11.

As already indicated above, one may also in theory arrange still furtherlatent heat storage elements in the receiving space 9 of the innercontainer 6. One could then also install or remove these edge-situatedlatent heat storage elements in the same way as the latent heat storageelement 10.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 one sees precisely two projections 11, which arearranged opposite each other at the two narrow sides of the hererectangular inner container 6. Basically, one could provide theprojections 11 on the long sides or provide projections on all foursides. However, the arrangement of precisely two projections 11 oppositeeach other on the narrow sides has the best advantages in terms ofhandling.

The projections 11, arranged opposite each other, need not occupy thefull length of the corresponding side of the inner container 6. They mayeach extend for only a portion of the length, or in each case severalprojections 11 may be provided, arranged uniformly or not. The onlyimportant point is that a support for the latent heat storage element 10is formed each time by means of at least one inwardly protrudingprojection 11 on the respective side of the inner container 6.

In regard to the material of the inner container 6, it matters whetherone can mold the projections 11 on the inner shell 8 at the inside orotherwise attach them, especially by gluing. There are manypossibilities for this which are known to the skilled person.

Alternatively, the projections 11 may also be attached releasably on theinner shell 8. For example, one may clamp a projection 11 into theplastic material of the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6 orplug-fit it into a seat which is present there.

If the projections 11 are attached releasably to the inner shell 8, onemay first insert the lower latent heat storage element 10 into thereceiving space 9 of the inner container 6 and only then plug-fit theprojections 11 at the appropriately designated places, for example.

As is represented, it would thus be especially expedient for theintroducing of the lower latent heat storage element 10 into thereceiving space 9 of the inner container 6 if the projections 11 werenot present during this procedure.

In an especially interesting variant represented in FIG. 6, in this caseone may still have the projections 11 molded on the inner shell 8 at theinside, for example by being produced in the same foam injection moldingprocess, or be otherwise firmly mounted, especially by gluing. In thisvariant, one accomplishes this result in that the inner shell 8 is atleast two-piece, such that an upper piece 8′ of the inner shell 8comprising the projections can be removed from the rest of the innershell 8. In FIG. 6 one sees the parting line between the upper piece 8′of the inner shell 8 and the lower tub-shaped remainder of the innershell 8. The lower tub-shaped remainder of the inner shell 8 coulditself also consist of several pieces. The important thing is that onecan remove the upper piece 8′ of the inner shell 8, on which theprojections 11 are integrally molded, in order to insert the latent heatstorage element 10 situated below on the inner bottom 7. After this, oneputs the upper piece 8′ of the inner shell 8 back in place and theprojections 11 for the upper latent heat storage element 12 are then atonce in the right place.

The sample embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 to 5 shows another designin which the projections 11 on the inner container 6 again do notinterfere with the inserting of the lower latent heat storage element10. In the design represented in FIGS. 2 to 5, one is independent of thematerial of the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6. Namely, it isprovided here that the projections 11 are formed on an insert frame 13which is separate from the inner container 6. The insert frame 13 isjoined in some way to the inner container 6 or in any case arranged withrespect to it in a particular given position.

In the represented and preferred sample embodiment, a seat 14 for theinsert frame 13 is formed at the upper edge of the inner shell 8 and theinsert frame 13 is arranged in the seat 14 on the inner container 6.Here as well, one can insert the insert frame 13 loosely in the seat 14,or with correspondingly elastic material of the inner shell 8 of theinner container 6 and/or of the insert frame 13 itself one can realize akind of press fit.

FIG. 3 shows the insert frame 13 by itself, at the top; FIG. 4 shows theinsert frame 13 installed in the seat 14 on the upper edge of the innershell 8 of the inner container 6. The laterally inwardly protrudingprojections 11 are formed on the insert frame 13, namely, as a singlepiece with it. On these lies the second latent heat storage element 12in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, at the bottom, one sees the first latent heatstorage element 10 lying on the inner bottom 7 in the receiving space 9.It has the same outer dimensions as the second latent heat storageelement 12. In FIG. 3, one sees suitable grip formations 15 on each ofthe two latent heat storage elements 10, 12, so that the latent heatstorage elements 10, 12 can easily be removed from the inner container 6or the insert frame 13.

Furthermore, one sees in FIG. 3 that the outer surfaces of the latentheat storage elements 10, 12 are configured as smooth as possible. Thisserves for the possibly desired handling ability of the latent heatstorage elements 10, 12 by means of a manipulation robot (such as onewith vacuum suction systems).

The inner container 6 should consist of a material with good heatinsulating action, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), expandedpolypropylene (EPP), polyurethane (PU) or polyethylene combined withEPS, EPP, PU, to mention only a few examples. In the represented andpreferred sample embodiment, it is provided that the inner container 6is made as an injection molded part of plastic, here thick-wall foamedplastic, and more specifically expanded polypropylene (EPP). There arevarious methods for the manufacture of components made of thick-wallfoamed plastic, such as the combination of foam extrusion and moldingprocess, the thermoplastic foam casting method (TSG), PUR foaming, andother methods known in the prior art.

Basically it is possible, though not shown here, for the inner container6 to be accurately fitted into the bottom part 4 of the outer container1. In this case, the thermal insulating effect is provided primarily bythe inner container 6 and only to a slight degree by the outer container1. The efficiency of the latent heat storage elements 10, 12 is howeverincreased significantly if one ensures a better thermal insulatingeffect.

The represented and preferred sample embodiment shows, for this purposein FIGS. 3 and 4, that a spacing is present at the casing 3 andpreferably also at the bottom 2 between the inner container 6 and theouter container 1. In the region of the spacing between inner container6 and outer container 1, one can install additional materials forthermal insulation. FIG. 5 shows that in this case at least one vacuuminsulation panel 16 is arranged in the spacing between the innercontainer 6 and the outer container 1.

For vacuum insulation panels one should also refer to the prior art fromEP 2 700 891 A2 and DE 20 2014 004 515 U1. There, examples are given forthe configuration of vacuum insulation panels. Further information onvacuum insulation panels will also be found in WO 2004/104498 A2.

It is especially effective to arrange corresponding vacuum insulationpanels 16 each time on both the bottom 2 and on the casing 3 of theouter container 1 on the inside, so that the entire space between innercontainer 6 and outer container 1 is filled up with vacuum insulationpanels 16.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another peculiarity of a preferred inner container 6,namely that the inner container 6 has an encircling collar 17 at theupper edge, which reaches outward beyond the inner shell 8, by which thespacing between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1 iscovered. Such a collar 17 already exists in theory in the transportcontainer system on which the present invention is based. However,according to further preferred teaching of the invention, the collar 17here is utilized in particular, namely, in that a seat groove 18 for theedge of at least one vacuum insulation panel 16 is formed on the collar17 of the bottom side. One notices in FIG. 5 that one can prepositionvacuum insulation panels 16 in the seat groove 18 on the inner container6. In this way, one can better handle the vacuum insulation panels 16together with the inner container 6 when inserting the inner container 6into the outer container 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 moreover reveal another peculiarity, in that an outwardencircling sealing lip 19 is formed on the collar 17, said sealing lip'souter dimensions being chosen such that the inner container 6 insertedin the bottom part 4 of the outer container 1 is press-fitted here. Withthe sealing lip 19 on the collar 17 of the inner container 6, oneaccomplishes a clean sealing of the inner container 6 against the outercontainer 1. This prevents contaminants from getting into the spacebetween inner container 6 and outer container 1, especially smallersolids which might otherwise damage the vacuum insulation panels 16located there.

In theory, one may also prevent contaminants from getting into the spacebetween inner container 6 and outer container 1 in another manner, forexample, by gluing the inner container 6 and outer container 1 togetherat the upper edge or for example by permanently closing the gap with anadhesive strip.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show another peculiarity of a preferred sample embodimentof a transport container system according to the invention, namely, thatthe inner container 6 has its own inner lid 20. The represented andpreferred sample embodiment shows that the inner container 6 has anencircling seat 21 for the inner lid 20 at the upper edge of the innershell 8, in which the inner lid 20 is or can be accurately fitted.Finally, FIG. 4 shows in cross section that in the represented andpreferred sample embodiment a vacuum insulation panel 22 is alsoarranged on the inner lid 20, and this in a seat 23 provided there. Theseat 23 is situated on the inner lid 20 on the underside, facing towardthe receiving space 9 in the inner container 6. Alternatively, it couldbe provided to arrange the seat on the top side of the inner lid andthus to position the vacuum insulation panel on the top side of theinner lid. However, the arrangement on the underside of the inner lid 20is more favorable for avoiding damage to the vacuum insulation panel 22.

The subject matter of the invention is also a transport container 6 initself. For this transport container 6, the preceding explanations givenfor the inner container 6 of the transport container system also applyaccordingly. In this case, the inner lid is designated as the lid 20.Such a transport container 6 may also be used by itself. Especiallypreferably, however, such a transport container 6 is used as the innercontainer for a transport container system according to the invention orin conjunction with other outer containers or another kind of packaging.

FIG. 7 shows another peculiarity having independent inventivesignificance, namely, a lid 20 in a preferred sample embodiment, whichcan possibly be used for a transport container 6 or inner container 6according to the invention, yet which also constitutes an especiallypreferred design. In this lid, the already discussed seat 23 for avacuum insulation panel 22 is provided.

According to preferred teaching, it is provided in the sample embodimentrepresented in FIG. 7 that the lid body consists of two interconnectedhalf-shells 20′, 20″, between which the seat 23 is formed, in which thevacuum insulation panel 22, if present, is arranged.

In theory, the half-shells 20′, 20″ of the lid body of the lid 20 may bepermanently joined together, when the vacuum insulation panel 22 ispresent in the seat 23, for example by gluing. However, then the vacuuminsulation panel 22 cannot be replaced if it should prove to bedefective. According to preferred teaching, therefore, it is provided inthe represented sample embodiment that the half-shells 20′, 20″ arereleasably joined together, especially clamped together by force lockingand/or interlocked by form fitting. In the represented sampleembodiment, tongue and groove connections are present on the twohalf-shells 20′, 20″, being designed as press-fit seats and/or aslatching connections. By plugging the two half-shells 20′, 20″ together,they are releasably joined together.

The above explained design is especially advisable when the twohalf-shells 20′, 20″ of the lid 20 can be made from a foamed plastic, orin the design of the lid 20 per claim 31.

The represented sample embodiment has the peculiarity that the twohalf-shells 20′, 20″ in the representation shown in FIG. 7 are formedrotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis situated here centrallyand running perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. In this way, itis possible to make the two half-shells 20′, 20″ identical inconfiguration, i.e., to produce in practice only one component which isthen used twice to make the lid 20.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   1 Outer container    -   2 Bottom    -   3 Casing    -   4 Bottom part    -   5 Lid    -   6 Inner container    -   7 Inner bottom    -   8 Inner shell    -   8′ Upper portion of the inner shell    -   9 Receiving space    -   10 First latent heat storage element    -   11 Projection    -   12 Second latent heat storage element    -   13 Insert frame    -   14 Seat for 13    -   15 Grip formations    -   16 Vacuum insulation panel    -   17 Collar    -   18 Seat groove    -   19 Sealing lip    -   20 Inner lid    -   20′ Half-shell    -   20″ Half-shell    -   21 Seat for 20    -   22 Vacuum insulation panel    -   23 Seat for 22

1. A transport container system with an outer container made from a rigid, resistant material, having a tub-shaped bottom part comprising a bottom and a casing and optionally a lid closing the bottom part (4) at the open side, with a tub-shaped inner container inserted into the bottom part of the outer container and having an inner bottom and an inner shell, wherein the inner container forms a receiving space open at the top for goods to be transported, wherein the walls of the inner shell run parallel to each other or diverge, starting at the inner bottom, in slightly conical fashion from each other, wherein the inner bottom has inner dimensions in the receiving space, namely, a particular clear length and a particular clear width, wherein a plate-shaped latent heat storage element can be arranged on the inner bottom in the receiving space and wherein the outer dimensions of a latent heat storage element which can be arranged on the inner bottom can at most correspond substantially to the inner dimensions of the inner bottom in the receiving space, wherein the inner container comprises an inwardly protruding projection at the upper edge of the inner shell at least on each of two oppositely situated sides, the clear distance between the oppositely arranged projections slightly smaller than the corresponding inner dimension—length or width—of the inner bottom the receiving space, so that the projections form a support for a latent heat storage element, i.e., a latent heat storage element with a corresponding outer dimension can be laid down on these projections.
 2. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projections are molded on the inside of the inner shell or otherwise firmly mounted, especially by gluing, or releasably mounted, especially inserted.
 3. The transport container system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner shell is at least two-piece, such that one upper piece of the inner shell comprising the projections can be removed from the rest of the inner shell.
 4. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projections are formed on an insert frame separate from the inner container, wherein, preferably, a seat for the insert frame his formed at the upper edge of the inner shell and the insert frame is arranged in the seat on the inner container.
 5. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first latent heat storage element is arranged in the receiving space of the inner container on the inner bottom and a second latent heat storage element with identical outer dimensions to the first latent heat storage element is arranged on the projections.
 6. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner container formed as an injection molded part made of plastic, preferably of a thick-wall foamed plastic, especially expanded polypropylene (EPP).
 7. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner container is accurately fitted into the bottom part of the outer container.
 8. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spacing is present at the casing and preferably also at the bottom between the inner container and the outer container.
 9. The transport container system as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one vacuum insulation panel is arranged in the spacing between the inner container and the outer container.
 10. The transport container system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inner container has an encircling collar at the upper edge, which reaches outward beyond the inner shell, by which the spacing between the inner container and the outer container is covered.
 11. The transport container system as claimed in claim 10, wherein a seat groove for the edge of at least one vacuum insulation panel is formed on the collar at the bottom side.
 12. The transport container system as claimed in claim 10, wherein an outer encircling sealing lip formed on the collar, said sealing lip's outer dimensions being chosen such that the inner container inserted in the bottom part of the outer container is press-fitted here.
 13. The transport container system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner container has its own inner lid.
 14. The transport container system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner container has an encircling seat for the inner lid at the upper edge of the inner shell, in which the inner lid is or can be accurately fitted.
 15. The transport container system as claimed in claim 13, wherein a seat for at least one vacuum insulation panel is present on the inner lid.
 16. A transport container, preferably as an inner container for a transport container system, wherein the container has an inner bottom and an inner shell and forms an upwardly open receiving space for goods to be transported, wherein the walls of the inner shell run parallel to each other or diverge, starting at the inner bottom, in slightly conical fashion from each other, and wherein the inner bottom has inner dimensions in the receiving space, namely, a particular clear length and a particular clear width, wherein the container comprises an inwardly protruding projection at the upper edge of the inner shell at least on each of two oppositely situated sides and the clear distance between the oppositely arranged projections is slightly smaller than the corresponding inner dimension—length or width—of the inner bottom in the receiving space.
 17. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the projections are molded on the inside of the inner shell or otherwise firmly mounted, especially by gluing, or releasably mounted, especially inserted.
 18. The container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the inner shell at least two-piece, such that one upper piece the inner shell comprising the projections can be removed from the rest of the inner shell.
 19. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the projections are formed on an insert frame separate from the container, wherein, preferably, a seat for the insert frame is formed at the upper edge of the inner shell and the insert frame is arranged in the seat the container.
 20. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein a first latent heat storage element is arranged in the receiving space of the container on the inner bottom and a second latent heat storage element with identical outer dimensions to the first latent heat storage elements is arranged on the projections.
 21. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the container formed as an injection molded part made of plastic, preferably of a thick-wall foamed plastic, especially expanded polypropylene (EPP).
 22. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the container has an encircling collar at the upper edge, which reaches outward beyond the inner shell.
 23. The container as claimed in claim 22, wherein a seat groove for the edge of at least one vacuum insulation panel is formed on the collar at the bottom side.
 24. The container as claimed in claim 22, wherein an outer encircling sealing lip is formed on the collar.
 25. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the container has a lid.
 26. The container as claimed in claim 25, wherein the container has an encircling seat for the lid at the upper edge of the inner shell, in which seat the lid is or can be accurately fitted.
 27. The container as claimed in claim 25, wherein a seat for at least one vacuum insulation panel is present on the lid.
 28. A lid for a transport container, especially for a transport container system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lid has a lid body with a seat for at least one vacuum insulation panel.
 29. The lid as claimed in claim 28, wherein the lid body consists of two interconnected half-shells, between which the seat is formed, in which the vacuum insulation panel, if present, is arranged.
 30. The lid as claimed in claim 28, wherein the half-shells are releasably joined together, especially clamped together by force locking and/or interlocked by form fitting.
 31. The lid as claimed in claim 28, wherein the lid body, especially each of the two half-shells, is/are formed as injection molded parts made of plastic, especially a thick-wall foamed plastic, especially expanded polypropylene (EPP). 